Gracie Marie Burch Allen

She was born September 23, 1925, the daughter of the late Rufus and Mamie Lawhorne Burch of Buena Vista, Virginia.

She was married 66 years to the late Kenneth Ray Allen.

Survivors include a sister, Edna Coffey of Buena Vista, Virginia, a brother, Elwood "BO" Burch and his wife Edith Burch of Buena Vista, Virginia, a grandson, Ken Holley and his father Richard Holley of Charlottesville, Virginia.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a precious daughter, Annette Holley, four brothers, Lewis Burch, Kenneth "ZIP" Burch, Clayton "Jack" Burch and Garland "MUTT" Burch, all of Buena Vista, Virginia, two sisters, Virginia Loudermilk and Ammie Odell Sorrells.

Gracie was a member of The Church of God, where she held many positions in the church work, Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher, Treasurer, Lay Pastor and many more positions.

Gracie loved gospel music and wrote twenty five gospel songs. She was also a poet and the author of eleven poem books, "GEMS FROM HEAVEN", also one book, "CHILDRESS POEMS".

She loved to cook, crochet, knit and hand quilt.

She leaves this testimony: 11 Timothy Chapter 4 Verses 7 & 8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of rightness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto them also that love his appearing."

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, June 9, 2011 at Augusta Memorial Park by Pastor Raymond Martin.

There will be no formal visitation at the funeral home. Family and friends may view and sign the guest book between 9:00 AM and 12 noon on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at the funeral home.

Family members are asked to meet at the residence by 1:30 pm the day of the service to ride in procession to the cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes and Crematory.